Covered tape dispenser



c. A. DAHLQU'IST COVERED TAPE DISPENSER Feb. 9, 1960 Filed March 12, 1956 INVENTOR. 6'42; A 0A; 620/5 .4770/PNE) COVERED TAPE DISPENSER Carl A. Dahlquis t, Roseville, Minn. Application March 12, 1956, Serial No. 571,025

1 Claim. (CL. 225-47) This invention relates to a device for holding, carrying and dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. More specifically, the invention relates to a miniature, covered tape dispenser. The invention is particularly designed to furnish a device in which a roll of pressuresensitive adhesive tape can be mounted, and then made secure against contamination by dirt particles, etc., which might otherwise accumulate upon the tacky surface of the leading tip of the tape roll within it. The device of this invention is particularly adapted to be carried in ones pocket, where it will be readily available for use. The device is constructed so as to cover and protect pressure-sensitive tape from accumulation of bits which might substantially lessen or destroy the adhesive properties of the tape.

In one of its preferred embodiments the dispenser of this invention is made for connection with a key chain or key case, etc., or with some other item of a kind which is normally carried upon the person. The purpose of tying in my dispenser with articles of such common usage is to render it more likely that the user of the device will have it available when needed. People who drive an automobile rather consistently carry their automobile keys with them. Therefore, if the dispenser of this invention is adapted for attachment to keys of that sort it will then rather consistently be car ried upon the person of the owner, so that he will have it, and the tape within it, available for unforeseeable needs, such as frequently arise.

The dispenser of this invention is sufficiently compact so that it (even when connected with accessory items such as keys), may conveniently and inconspicuously be carried in ones pocket, or in a womans'handbag, for example. It is extremely simple to load with a roll of tape, and may very readily be opened and closed at the time of use. It is fabricated from materials which are readily available, and can be mlde at an attractively low cost. It is adapted to be molded from plastic, and is sufliciently sturdy to withstand normal usage for many years. Furthermore, the device has an outer surface of sufiicient areato easily accommodate a suitable advertising or promotional message, and the device is thus rendered particularly useful as a sales remainder or advertising piece.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be set out as this description proceeds. Referring HOW to the drawings, in which letter reference characters designate the same or similar parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my device, with its cover closed.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article of Figure l, with its cover open.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view, taken along line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a specifically different embodiment of my invention, in closed position.

ves Paten Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 5, in open position.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 88 of Figure 7.

Referring now particularly to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1-4 of the drawing, the dispenser there depicted comprises, first, a structure 2 for rotatably supporting a roll of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and, second, a shell-like casing 3 for covering structure 2, and the roll of tape 4 within it. Each of members 2 and 3 may be conveniently molded from plastic material; e.g., polystyrene. Structure 2, which comprises the dispenser proper, includes a pair of side walls 5 and 6, which are spaced apart just far enough to accommodate the width of the tape roll 4. Said side walls 5 and 6 commence to slope downwardly toward base 7 of structure 2, at about the point where those said side walls are on a line with the most forwardly lying point on the periphery of tape roll 4. The side walls thus do not interfere with the ability of the user to insert a finger under the leading tip 8 of tape roll 4, in order to withdraw a strip of tape from the roll, for severing. The top of upstanding end portion 9 on structure 2 provides a surface upon which the adhesive coated underside of tape strip 8 may rest and cling. This construction ensures that the leading end of the tape roll will be maintained away from and out of contact with the roll proper, so that it may, at all times, be readily grasped without the necessity of having to pick the tip of the tape free from underlying convolutions on the roll. The upper surface of end portion 9 is fitted with a serrated cutting edge 10 against which strip 8 is placed and severed, when it is desired to obtain a length of tape from roll 4. In the embodiment of the dispenser shown in Figure 2 for example, cutting edge 10 comprises an appropriately shaped metal piece affixed to end portion 9. However, it would also be practicable to mold structure 2 so that said front portion 9 would itself be formed with cutting teeth, thereby eliminating the necessity of separate metal member 10.

Tape roll 4 is Wound upon a core having a relatively small diameter; e.g., A inch or less. One suitable material which can be utilized to serve as a core is vinyl electrical insulation tubinghaving a nomianl inside diameter of 0.125 inch and an outside diameter of 0.141 inch. If pressure-sensitive tape 0.0025 inch in thickness is wound upon such a core, a 10 foot length thereof produces a roll approximately 0.65 inch in diameter. A roll of tape of this diameter (or even up to 0.75 inch in diameter) and A inch to /2 inch wide, is a convenient size to use in the dispenser of this invention, and a strip of tape 10 feet in length is longer than the one presently sold in some commercial rolls. In the embodiment shown, the tape core is hollow and is mounted on shaft 19. However, it may also be made solid and then it will itself serve as a shaft. For example, a piece of /e" diameter polystyrene rod may be employed as a core. if this is done the rod is permitted to protrude on either side of roll 4 and the ends of the rod are rounded to fit into indentations in the side walls of the dispenser.

Casing 3 is preferably made from the same material as structure 2, although, if desired, a contrasting color may be employed. This casing is of such dimensions that it will snugly encase structure 2, when placed over the same. The inner surfaces of side walls 11 and 12 of casing 3 are provided with small bosses 13 and 14 which are designed to register with and fit within corresponding depressions 15 and 16 in the outer surface of side walls 5 and 6 of structure 2. When casing 3 I 3 is placed over structure 2 bosses 13 and 14 will snap into place within depressions 15 and 16, and the casing .will thereby be held securely over the dispenser proper.

said bosses snap into position. Similarly, said side walls 11 and 12 may be separated slightly when it is desired to remove the dispenser itself from the device, for re loading, or for other purposes.

Bosses 13 and 14, when properly in register with de pressions 15 and 16 provide an axis about which struc ture 2 and easing 3 may rotate, in respect to each other, when it is desired to open or close the device. Said bosses and depressions are positioned sufficiently far forward from the rear end of the device so that slight thumb pressure, at approximately point A on bottom 7, will cause structure 2 to emerge from casing 3, to about the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. The dispenser can be closed (to the position shown in Figure 1) merely by slight pressure on bottom 7 at any point forwardly of the axis above referred to. During the opening and closing procedures, bosses 13 and 14 remain securely locked within depressions 15 and 16, and there 18 no likelihood that casing 3 might be separated from structure 2 during use.

. The-inner surfaces of side walls and 6 are provided with inclined slots 17 and 18. Supporting shaft 19, passing through core 20, upon which tape roll 4 is wound, is dropped within slots 17 and 18. The tape roll is thereby held properly positioned within structure 2; I prefer that slots 17 and 18 be inclined, in the manner shown, to reduce any tendency which might otherwise exist for roll 4 to pull loose from the dispenser under pulling force applied to tape strip 8. I have also found it preferably to make slots 17 and 18 slightly deeper, at their bottom end portions, to reduce any tendency which shaft 19 might otherwise have to ride up in said slots when pulling force is applied to the end of the tape. However, the slots are provided only for convenience in inserting the roll of tape into the dispenser, andthe important feature is that depresssions or holes be provided in the walls of the dispenser for accommodating the ends of the shaft on which the roll rotates.

In respect to the pivoting of structure 2 within casing 3, it should be noted that back wall 21 on structure 2 is sufiiciently low in height so that it will clear the underside of the top surface of casing 3, when the dispenser proper is rotated for opening or closing. Also, it will I be noted that the lower back corner of structure 2 (at P int B) is curved to provide for clearance between that corner and the lower edge of casing 3, during the opening or closing operation.

Referring now to the embodiment of the dispenser shown in Figures 5-8 of the drawings, it will be noted that the particular dispenser there shown is very similar to the dispenser hereinabove discussed, except in respect to its configuration, and in respect to certain details relating to the manner in which the dispenser proper is held within the casing. In this instance tape roll 4:: is held within structure 211 (which is similar to structure 2) by means of hollow, inten'orly threaded shaft 22 which passes through the side walls of the casing, the side walls of structure 2a, and through core 20a. In other words, the entire unit is maintained in assembled relationship by shaft 22, into which screw 23 is threaded. In the form of dispenser shown in Figures 5-8, shaft 22 is the pivot point about which structure 2a rotates. Side walls 5 an 6c a ur d c ntri a ly to th c r e f c n 34 so that there will be no wedging or interference when he de i e is b ing op ed.

h d sp n r shown in Figu es 5 8 ay n n y be fabricated from metal plate. Its outer surface can be appropriately provided with identifying or advertising indicia, or could suitably be covered with a decorative or identifying fabric.

Each of the dispensers shown incorporates an eyelet 24 upon its rear face, and key chain 25 is shown threaded through this eyelet in the case of both embodiments. The device of Figure 5 et seq. is provided with a small, forwardly extending protuberance 26, just below cutting blade 10a thereon. This protuberance, against which the finger of the user is brought to bear, facilitates opening and closing of the dispenser.

It 'Will be apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a compact tape dispenser, easily portable in a persons pocket, in which the tape is fully enclosed to prevent dust and lint from contaminating the exposed adhesive surface of the tape lying between the tape roll and the severing edge. .The dispenser can be manufactured so that it is only approximately 1 /4 inches in over-all length; yet even in sueh small size it is adapted to hold from 10 to 15 feet of pressuresensitive adhesive tape; e.g., cellophane tapej Although I have described preferred constructions of my device in some detail, I do not intend to limit myself to the particular arrangements here'inabove set out. The specific constructions referred to are givenby way of example, and are not intended to be limiting; It will be apparent that modifications could be made in the device as described without departing from the spirit of the invention thereby disclosed.

I claim:

A portable adhesive tape dispenser adapted to be carried in ones pocket, comprising a structure for rotatably supporting a roll of pressure-sensitive tape and a cover for said structure, said structure comprising a bottom, a pair of side walls spaced apart sulficiently far to accommodate a roll of tape between them, means for mounting a roll of tape in said structure for rotation thereof about an axis extending at substantially right angles to said side walls, an upstanding back wall, and upstanding front end portion provided with a single serrated edge for severing the tape; said cover having a top, spaced apart side walls, a front wall and a back wall, said cover being configured to snugly overlap said structure to en close the tape therein, with. the front wall of said cover I in close adjacency with the front end portion of said stru t re ith the e walls of sa 'df ver in Contact th aid s de lls o sai structure. and wi he b wall of said structu n c ntact wi hth b al o ai co h ex ri r sh f q 'o e h' f s i s ct s Walls a d' he n er r urf ce cfeaqh f sa cover s l s ow r t e l r re c me s thereo b i g'f it or e p n in d p s ons and p ot nce Whereby said structure may be snapped within said cover for pivotal movement of said cover and'said structure in respectto each other about an axis rearwardly and downwardly offset from the axis of rotation 'of said roll of tape, whereby said dispenser may, alternatively, be opened to permit dispensing of tape therefrom and closed to contain the tape therewithin, the aforesaid contact between the walls of said'strncture and the walls of said cover preventing said structure from swinging freely within said cover and preventing 'entryof foreign matter into said dispenser when said dispenser is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Australia .Dec. 7, 19.55 

